Scarlet smuggler bean is a vining plant that puts on a dramatic show in a gay place .
Most bean industrial plant are relegate to rows or patches in the veggie garden . Although they are tasty and healthful , when it comes to smell , well , they did n’t win that lottery . However , the scarlet base runner bean plant is an exception . This gorgeous twining vine produces lots of colourful blooms throughout the summer , which — if cross-pollinate — form flattened pods that can be exhaust like other light-green beans . The flower attract pollinators , include bees and hummingbird , and the salad days are edible ; they sum up colour and noggin - same flavour to salad .
Where to Plant Scarlet Runner Bean
A cheery bit with rich , well - drained soilis best for these beans . They are vigorous crampon that need something sturdy to support their up growth . A fence bring well , but you could alsogrow them on a teepee or trellis . Avoid windy sites because they produce obtuse leafy growth and can reach up to 15 foot marvelous , although 6 to 8 human foot is more common . Do n’t implant them where they will cast shade on other Sunday - loving plants .
How and When to Plant Scarlet Runner Bean
These beans are easy to sow straight off in the garden after all risk of Robert Frost has passed . If you have a scant grow time of year , get your plants indoorsfour to six weeks before your last predicted hoar . Do n’t plant them outdoors too early because they are sensitive to insensate temperatures . It ’s skilful to wait until night temperatures stay above 50 ° fluorine before plant seeds or transplant seedlings .
Sow the source 2 inches bass and 6 to 8 inches apart . If you start the come indoors , plant one or two seeds per humble weed , cut to the strongest seedling . Disturb the root as little as possible when transplanting . render the beans with a livelihood for them to climb at planting metre . cosmic string , netting , a fence , or perch are all good options .
Scarlet Runner Bean Care Tips
Growing this heat - loving South American native is easy , and its growth charge per unit is firm once lovesome weather set in .
Light
The sunnier the spot , the better carmine runner beans grow . place them where they will get at least six hours offull suneach day .
Soil and Water
Scarlet runner beans thrive in aneutral to somewhat acidic , organically rich soil . While they require consistent moisture , the grunge should be well - drained and not stay soggy . Mulching help retain moisturebetween waterings .
Temperature and Humidity
These heat - loving bean are sensitive to cold , and seed germinate poorly when plant in insensate soil . The plants will pass away back to the solid ground with the first hard frost in the spill . They raise quickly in warm weather , but pod organisation slack when temperatures outmatch 90 ° farad and pick up again when temperatures drop . They tolerate a chain of mountains of humidity stage , but moderate humidity is salutary .
Fertilizer
Working compost or well - rot manure into the soil prior to planting may be sufficient to supply nutrients for these beans . Over - fertilizing can perk up leafy development at the expense of blossoming and pod organisation . If the noodle seem to need a mid - season boost , side - dress them with a slow - liberation organic fertiliser .
Pruning
The only pruning necessary with scarlet runner bean is top the tops to control their height when they reach the top of their bread and butter .
Potting and Repotting
Growing carmine offset beans in a containeris soft and anexcellent option for minuscule gardens . filling alarge , heavy container(10 gallons or 30 inches broad is a good size of it ) with well - draining , rich grunge . Sow the seeds 2 inches cryptic and 6 - 8 inch aside and water well . Add stakes or a trellis to support the vine as they grow . lay the container in an expanse of the garden that pick up at least 6 hours of sun daily . Ensure some pollinator - attracting flowers are planted nearby to pollinate the noggin flush .
This plant is often grown as an yearly , but inUSDA zone 7 - 11 , it is a dead - lived perennial plant . Unless the plant ’s root base outgrows the container , it does n’t require repotting , although it benefits from the addition of compost in springtime .
Pests and Problems
Although soft to raise , carmine runner beans are susceptible to a few pest . Slugs and lapin might nibble on immature plant . A conducting wire cageprotects go forth seedling from rabbits , andslug trapshelp ascendence slugs . Mexican edible bean beetle , Japanese beetle , aphids , and leafhopper are sometimes a problem . paw - pick or a concentrated spray of water will reduce universe of these pest .
Powdery mold , which constitute a dusty layer on leaves , is sometimes a concern , but it can unremarkably be forfend if you do n’t overcrowd the plant to set aside for good air circulation . Remove infect leaves if you notice them , and do n’t put them in the compost pile .
How to Propagate Scarlet Runner Bean
Although roots may overwinter in frost - free climates , carmine blue runner bean isnearly always grown as an annualfrom seminal fluid . The ejaculate are unproblematic to harvest from existing plants , and they stash away well in a dry , warm place until the undermentioned natural spring . It is salutary to direct sow the seeds in the garden after the soil has warmed to at least 50 ° fluorine . you may start the seeds indoors a few weeks before strike them into the garden , but avoid disturbing the stem when transplantation .
Types of Scarlet Runner Bean
‘Scarlet Emperor’
‘ Scarlet Emperor ’ is an heirloom diverseness that produce crimson flower that are hummingbird attractive feature . The vines grow to 10 feet tall if support is useable . The pods can be harvested after about 70 day for cookery as snap bean or allowed to dry on the vine . Once dried , the orotund Bronx cheer seeds with black streaks can be soak , cooked , and enjoy all wintertime .
‘Painted Lady’
Another heirloom , ‘ Painted Lady ’ bear two - toned flowers with shiny coral upper petals and bloom pink to white low flower petal . The vine grows 8 to 10 base tall with a livelihood . The plant is extremelyattractive to hummingbird mothsand hummingbirds .
‘Black Knight’
In addition to its cheerful scarlet flower , ‘ Black Knight ’ produce purple - opprobrious cod that can be cooked and eaten as snap attic . When they are provide to mature and dry out on the vine , the obsidian - colored seeds can be saved for wintertime dishes . It matures in 65 to 80 days .
‘Sunset’
The blossom of ‘ sundown ’ salmagundi are bully pink , and the pods are burnished green . This mixed bag matures in 65 to 70 days but continues to flower until the weather turns cold in fall .
The raw pods and seeds of blood-red runner beans are mildly toxic to human . Always cook the pods before eat them .
Scarlet Runner Bean Companion Plants
Scarlet ball carrier attic makes a endearing vertical speech pattern when develop on a trellis or teepee . It can be a feature of the vegetable garden or include in a mixed annual border . Because flowers do not self - pollinate , pollinator - attracting plantsare excellent companion plants if you plan to harvest pods .
Annual Salvia
Annual salviais an easy - to - grow , long - flowering addition to any garden , where it adds bright colors and mythological forms . It appeal pollinator such as bees , butterfly stroke , and hummingbirds .
Zinnias
Zinniascome in many colors and sizes , providing options for arrangement . They appeal pollinators , include butterfly stroke , moths , bee , and syrphid rainfly , while adding vivid visual appeal to any garden in need of a bluff splash of color .
Black-Eyed Susan
dark - eyed Susanbears enceinte yellow flowers with dismal centers in mid to late summer . It grow 2 - 3 feet tall , and attracts pollinators . The xanthous flowers provide a adorable contrast to the scarlet blossom and deep green foliage of the scarlet runner bean .
Frequently Asked Questions
The flowers must be pollinated by bee , butterfly , and other fly creatures for the pod to mould . Next yr , plant pollinator - attracting flowers nearby .
Over - fertilizing — particularly with nitrogen — outcome in slews of leafy growth but few flowers and pods . Another cause could be insufficient light . Your vines ask at least 6 hr of sun day by day ; less than that limit inflorescence .
Phaseolus Coccineus . NC State Extension
Credit: Jay Graham
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Lynn Karlin
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: David Speer
